The best online learning resources you need

By Michael Crump | 11 June 2015

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There are so many resources for online learning today that it’s easy to miss the ones you really, need let alone find the ones you’re looking for. Sometimes you’re not sure which ones are right for you to begin with. Whether you’re a student or a teacher, online learning courses and technology deliver on the promise to make learning and education accessible to everyone – no matter who you are or where you’re located.

The following websites and tech tools are a great starting point for both teachers and students, new or seasoned in the online learning environment.

Have you found any nuggets of wisdom that have helped you with online learning?

That said, finding the appropriate resources for your needs can feel a bit like looking for a needle in a haystack. If you find yourself in this position, never fear! To help make your online learning experience as engaging as possible, we’ve rounded up a few of the best resources out there for both students and their teachers alike.

Students

Evernote: Organization is a must for online learning students, who often miss the printed handouts and materials their on campus counterparts receive. Evernote is here to help. Its handy browser clipping tool makes it easy to store class materials digitally for future reference, while its powerful search function helps you locate these documents on demand in the future – without the need for complicated note naming or tagging structures.

iHomework: While Evernote is a powerful tool, it can seem overwhelming at first glance. If you’re seeking something more education-specific, look to Element84’siHomeworkapp. Use the program on your iPhone, iPad or Macbook to store and quickly reference homework assignments, reading materials, course information, teacher information and more.

Zotero: Citing your research sources through the crafting of bibliographies for your assignments is an important task, but a tedious one when done by hand. To speed up the process, look to Zotero (or any of the many other citation building desktop apps out there). This helpful tool monitors the content in your web browser, allowing you to add articles, PDFs, images, audio clips and more to your personal library. From there, it’s just a few simple steps to create a complete bibliography in the editorial style of your professor’s choosing.

Flashcard Machine: Digital flashcards are an essential tool for online learning students, whose busy schedules often result in on-the-go study sessions fit in whenever time allows. Rather than carting around thick stacks of paper cards, programs like Flashcard Machine let you create cards to test your knowledge no matter where you are. Working with a study group? Check out the program’s helpful sharing features, which let you trade flashcards with your classmates and friends.

Teachers

eLearn Magazine: Conducting online learning courses can feel isolating and the rapid developments in technology can make it difficult for even the most seasoned of educators to feel as if they’re as effective as they could be. The eLearn Magazine website aims to remedy these potential disconnects with helpful articles covering topics such as getting students to engage and using game mechanics to enhance the learning process.

eLearning Infographics: Want to learn more about the state of “e-learning” in a fun, engaging way? This collection of infographics related to online learning present fascinating data points on everything including online learning trends worth watching.

eLearning Brothers “Best eLearning Resources of 2014”: Is it cheating to end this article with a link to another collection of best online learning resources? We hope not, because this resource round-up by eLearning Brothers deserves every online learning professional’s attention. Reference it for links to everything from free templates to stock imagery and helpful articles on everything from experiential course flow to working with tools like Lectora and Adobe Captivate.

Don’t see the kind of resource you’re looking for on this list? Dive in! The web is full of helpful technology tools for both online learning students and teachers. With a little digging, you’re sure to find something that’ll meet your needs.

Do you have your own resources or are some of these listed the first that have really helped?

Michael Crump
Michael has worked in the education industry for over 10 years, with institutions such as The University of Sydney, Study Group and Upskilled. Michael is passionate about online learning and technology and believes strongly in ensuring education is available to all Australians no matter what their situation.